Rechargeable Hearing Aids, do They Really Work?

Stressing about running low on batteries is something you shouldn’t have to do with rechargeable hearing aids, but when you depend on this technology, it might make you a little anxious. Do rechargeable hearing aids work, and do they work as well as advertised?

The worry is reasonable and so are the question you might have. A hearing aid is often as important for the enjoyment of a television show or a movie as it is for a trip to the supermarket or any other part of everyday life. It’s important that a piece of technology functions correctly and reliably, especially when it affects so many facets of life.

What Type of Battery do I Have?

By default, most modern hearing aids have rechargeable batteries, so it’s likely if you bought your hearing aids recently, it has one of two kinds of batteries. Silver-zinc batteries, which have a battery door on the back, are rechargeable, but the batteries might need to be changed every now and then. A Lithium-ion battery, however, will last throughout the life-cycle of the hearing device and, because of that, those devices will not have that telltale battery door.

How to Care For Your Rechargeable Hearing Aid

For the most part, rechargeable hearing aids do work, and they work well. As battery technology has improved in the last several years, the dependability of these devices has increased significantly. As with any other electronic device, however, there are various easy maintenance steps that users can follow to improve the dependability of their rechargeable hearing aids.

Store Your Hearing Aids on The Charging Station: If you consistently store your rechargeable hearing aids on their recharging station you can extend the life of your battery. Charging a battery that is not fully drained does not diminish the long term life of your battery. Actually, you can actually increase the battery life by making certain your hearing aids are charging while not in use. For many people, putting their charging station next to their bed is a simple reminder to charge the devices when not in use.

Be Mindful of Wires: Most hearing aids will have a wire element of some kind, either on the charging station or on the hearing aids themselves. Most hearing aid users are counseled to be aware of these wires; the connection that enables the device to charge can be damaged if you pull on or hold it by the wires.

Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean and Dry: No matter how often you use or do not use your hearing aids, they have plenty of occasion to gather moisture, debris, and dust. Any combination of these three things can diminish the efficiency of your battery and can hinder charging as much as it needs. When connecting your hearing aid to your charging station, as with any other time, it’s essential to keep your device clean.

How to Change a Rechargeable Battery

If you have lithium-ion batteries, they will probably last as long as your device does. Because of this, you shouldn’t need to worry about replacing those batteries. Simply continue recharging your hearing aids as long as needed.

However, you will need to periodically replace the batteries if you have a hearing aid that uses silver-zinc batteries. Switching batteries in the correct way can help improve the lifespan of your hearing aids. As a result, the majority of people who use these hearing aids are counseled to:

Clean and free of moisture is the state that your battery compartment should be kept in.

Make certain you have a dry, room temperature spot to keep your batteries.

Let the batteries sit out at room temperature for at least five minutes before taking off any tabs that may be attached.

Don’t eliminate any packaging or plastic tabs until you’re ready to use batteries.

Long Periods of Non-Use

Leaving your hearing aids on the charger for extended periods of time is no longer the way to store your hearing aids. Just unplug your hearing aid and put it in a cool dry place if, for example, you know you won’t be wearing them for a few weeks or a month.

If your hearing aids use silver-zinc batteries, you may also consider leaving the battery door open in order to prevent moisture from corroding your batteries.

Keep it Charged Every Day

For most people, and for everyday use, charging your hearing aids once per day should be enough for all of your needs. To get 24 hours worth of battery life with a lithium-ion battery will usually only require 3-4 hours per day.

Do rechargeable hearing aids work? Not only do they work, but rechargeable hearing aids will probably become a lot more common and dependable as the technology continues to improve. To see all the different models, get in touch with your local hearing aid retailer.